Toledo Entertains Horizon League Member Milwaukee in Saturday Matinee

TOLEDO, OH - Toledo (6-1) looks to maintain its winning ways on Saturday, Dec. 8 when it battles Horizon League member Milwaukee (4-4). Tip-off time is set for 2:00 p.m. in Savage Arena.

Prior to the start of Saturday's non-league matchup, UT will recognize last year's Mid-American Conference West Division co-championship squad with a special ring and banner presentation.

The Rockets are off to their best start since the 1996-97 campaign when they started a perfect 7-0. Over the 39-year history of the program, UT has begun the season winning six of its first seven games on seven occasions.

The Rockets are currently riding a five-game win streak, following last weekend's triumphs over SIU Edwardsville and St. Bonaventure to capture the inaugural Glass City Tournament at home.

The key to Toledo winning its second tourney title in as many weeks was its stifling defense, which limited the Cougars and Bonnies to 31.0 percent (26-of-84) from the field and 44.0 ppg. The Midnight Blue & Gold also forced the opposition into 22.5 turnovers per game and translated those miscues into an average of 26.0 points.

Senior Naama Shafir, senior Yolanda Richardson and junior Andola Dortch were each named to the Glass City all-tourney squad for their efforts in the two victories. Shafir, who was also selected tourney MVP for a second-straight week, averaged a team-high 11.0 points and a squad-best 4.5 assists, Richardson tallied 7.0 points, a team-high 6.0 rebounds and a squad-best 2.0 rejections, while Dortch contributed 10.5 points, a team-high 3.5 thefts, 5.5 boards and 3.0 helpers per game.

Milwaukee enters Saturday's matchup on the heels of a 116-112 double-overtime win vs. Bradley on Tuesday, Dec. 4. Sophomore Ashley Green scored a career-high 33 points, including a three-pointer at the buzzer in regulation to help UWM snap a two-game losing skid.

The Panthers feature an attack with three players averaging double figures led by Green's 14.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.5 spg.

UT and UWM will be meeting for a third-consecutive season and fifth time in the overall series. The all-time series is tied 2-2 after the Rockets suffered a 60-57 setback on Dec. 18, 2011 in the Klotsche Center. Toledo has won the two contests played in Savage Arena, claiming a 96-59 victory on Jan. 28, 1991 and a 63-59 triumph on Dec. 19, 2010.

Following Saturday's game, Toledo will take the next six days off to focus on final exams before returning to the hardwood on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Big East member Marquette. Tipoff from the Al McGuire Center is slated for 7:00 p.m. (CT). The Rockets will look to avenge a 69-60 setback to the Golden Eagles on Dec. 31, 2011 in Savage Arena.